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Journalists seek legal reprieve as ZANU PF provincial chairlady threatens reporter
MISA-Zimbabwe
June 17, 2009

In its publication of 27 March-2 April 2009, The Mirror (Masvingo's provincial private paper) published a story titled "Top Zanu Pf official linked to armed robberies" alleging that Masvingo's provincial chairlady, Shylet Uyoyo was involved in a spate of armed robberies that had been prevailing in the town of Masvingo.

The story alleged that the chairlady's party vehicle was being used as a getaway car in a series of armed robberies that had been occurring in the city of Masvingo and surrounding areas. The story further alleged that Uyoyo's driver , Edward Mwaona who was later shot and killed in a police shootout was at the forefront in these robberies.

However, Uyoyo accompanied by suspected Zanu Pf youths visited The Mirror offices demanding to see the reporter, Tatenda Chitagu in connection with the story. After learning that Chitagu was out on duty, Uyoyo is said to have threatened to met out unspecified action against Chitagu which will result in Chitagu being unable to walk again.

Golden Maunganidze, the editor of The Mirror along with his reporter, Chitagu on 2 April 2009 went to Masvingo Central police station where they filed a police report before being subsequently summoned to court on 16 June
2009.

Uyoyo appeared before Magistrate Walter Chikwana of the Masvingo magistrates court facing charge of assault by threat but Chikwana deferred the matter to 22 June 2009 after Uyoyo's lawyer Charles Ndlovu of Muzenda and Partners failed to turn up for the court proceedings.

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